St. Francis Pledge

PRAY and reflect on the duty to care for God’s Creation and protect the poor and vulnerable.

LEARN about and educate others on the causes and moral dimensions of climate change.

ASSESS how we-as individuals and in our families, parishes and other affiliations-contribute to climate change by our own energy use, consumption, waste, etc.

ACT to change our choices and behaviors to reduce the ways we contribute to climate change.

ADVOCATE for Catholic principles and priorities in climate change discussions and decisions, especially as they impact those who are poor and vulnerable.

We encourage the Creighton community to take the pledge. You can also download your own copy of the signed pledge by clicking on the image above.

The text of Fr. Lannon's homily on the Feast of St. Francis is available here. Mass was attended by approximately 125 people and was concelebrated by10 Jesuits.

A luncheon followed the mass. Several organizations across campus donated funds to purchase the food, which was provided by Shadowbrook Farms, a local farm. Members of the Wellness Council made salads and breads and assisted with serving and cleanup. Approximately 70 people attended the luncheon and participated in affinity-group discussions. The topics ranged from “science of climate change” to “public health and the environment” to “waste reduction” and many others. A poster/table display was also available for the community to learn what various groups on campus are doing to support sustainability and the climate action plan.

More information on the 2013 St. Francis Feast Day celebration, including recipes from the luncheon, is available here.

The Jesuits, Creighton, and Sustainability

The 32nd General Congregation of the Society of Jesus (G.C. 32, Decree.4, #37, 1974) maintained that the Jesuits’ mission was not only about the service of faith, but also the promotion of justice. Ecology is now, as a result of the most recent Jesuit Congregation (G.C. 35, Decree 3, #35, 2008), recognized as integral to this mission, and it is considered of particular importance for Jesuit “universities and research centres”.

One of the most urgent problems for sustaining earth’s life support system is global warming. Human induced global warming is considered by the US National Academy of Sciences a “settled fact” that “poses significant risks for a broad range of human and natural systems.”[1][2] Indeed, a recent synthesis paper from some of the most distinguished climate and environmental scientists in the world concluded: “In the face of an absolutely unprecedented emergency, society has no choice but to take dramatic action to avert a collapse of civilization. Either we will change our ways and build and entirely new kind of global society, or they will be changed for us.”